On 4 December, EU Transport Ministers meet at European Council level, where one of the central agenda items – introduced by Austria’s Minister for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure, Peter Hanke – focuses on ensuring fair and resilient conditions for the European railway sector.
This meeting represents a vital opportunity to protect Europe’s rail networks from the risks posed by unfair foreign competition. For this reason, UNIFE urges Ministers to take decisive steps.
The association says that “Europe cannot afford to allow its military mobility capabilities or any security-relevant elements of its railway networks – particularly core infrastructure and signalling systems – to fall outside European control. Similar warnings have already been raised in the fields of public transport and other high-tech industries. A robust European toolbox is therefore essential to guarantee the security of critical infrastructure.”
The EU should exclude bidders from third countries that lack public procurement agreements for sensitive goods and services, and place stronger emphasis on European-preference procurement. By relying on European innovators, manufacturers, and service providers, the Union can reduce external dependencies and strengthen its industrial base and technological sovereignty.
“Europe faces a very real and serious scenario: losing control of its own rail networks. We are raising the alarm because we believe we are close to crossing a threshold from which we cannot return. The EU Transport Ministers will address this issue at European Council level, marking the first time it has been formally presented in this way. We urge Member States to support a strong reform of EU public procurement rules,” UNIFE Director General Enno Wiebe said.
Another vital requirement for the European railway sector is guaranteeing a level playing field in EU public procurement.
When the long-term integrity, reliability, and security of railway infrastructure is concerned, purchase price alone cannot be the deciding factor. Rolling stock typically remains in service for three to four decades, meaning that only a life-cycle costing approach can provide an accurate and fair assessment of true value.
“We call on all Member States to endorse this approach and embed a strong European-preference principle within all relevant security and resilience projects. This will help safeguard European values, protect citizens, and enhance the continent’s resilience in a challenging geopolitical environment,” UNIFE highlights.
Share on:
